Why any organization would be "cautiously optimistic" about this guy pitching in the bigs again just beyond me.

PalehosePlanet

11-27-2007, 04:00 PM

The Braves have a $20 million team option on him for 2009, or a $6 miilion buyout. YIKES! Either way they're screwed.

Just thinking off the top of my head, but that was probably the worst contract of all time, right? The Rockies, IIRC, gave him an 8/121 deal back in 2000. I wonder if they're still footing any of the bill?

Either way, even if healthy, he's a so-so 4, or a decent 5 starter.

spiffie

11-27-2007, 04:02 PM

The Braves have a $20 million team option on him for 2009, or a $6 miilion buyout. YIKES! Either way they're screwed.

Just thinking off the top of my head, but that was probably the worst contract of all time, right? The Rockies, IIRC, gave him an 8/121 deal back in 2000. I wonder if they're still footing any of the bill?

Either way, even if healthy, he's a so-so 4, or a decent 5 starter.
From mlbcontracts.blogspot.com

Why any organization would be "cautiously optimistic" about this guy pitching in the bigs again just beyond me.

Hey SFA - We've come across each other about Hampton before....

If he does come back and is healthy, he could be a huge unexpected + as you probably know.

Mike Hampton at a time was close to the best starter I EVER saw in person when he played for the Mets. Lots of $ lost, but what a boost if he can contribute this year, huh?

palehozenychicty

11-27-2007, 04:26 PM

Hey SFA - We've come across each other about Hampton before....

If he does come back and is healthy, he could be a huge unexpected + as you probably know.

Mike Hampton at a time was close to the best starter I EVER saw in person when he played for the Mets. Lots of $ lost, but what a boost if he can contribute this year, huh?

That ain't going to happen though. It's the same blind faith that the Flubs put into Wood and Prior. The problem with injury-prone players is that when they do play, they play tepidly to avoid getting hurt. We'll see, but the Braves are doing nothing more but saving face with this albatross of a deal.

soxfanatlanta

11-27-2007, 04:34 PM

Hey SFA - We've come across each other about Hampton before....

If he does come back and is healthy, he could be a huge unexpected + as you probably know.

Mike Hampton at a time was close to the best starter I EVER saw in person when he played for the Mets. Lots of $ lost, but what a boost if he can contribute this year, huh?

I cannot begin to wrap my brain around how big that if is.

As you know, he blew out his elbow and needed TJ surgery last season; there is no way he will be the same guy on the mound that you saw all those years ago. No way. I want him to succeed, don't get me wrong. But history, and reality tell me his days as a reliable starter are long gone. Perhaps the Braves should move him to the pen, no? He cannot do any worse than what they have.

drewcifer

11-27-2007, 04:44 PM

I cannot begin to wrap my brain around how big that if is.

As you know, he blew out his elbow and needed TJ surgery last season; there is no way he will be the same guy on the mound that you saw all those years ago. No way. I want him to succeed, don't get me wrong. But history, and reality tell me his days as a reliable starter are long gone. Perhaps the Braves should move him to the pen, no? He cannot do any worse than what they have.

I'd throw him. All the $ spent, with a team that's been nothing but frugal since the hay day...

Throw him. Burn his arm. Try his elbow. Get what you can.

Obligation is over after this. He made his $ and that is the deal; body for $.

MDF3530

11-27-2007, 07:21 PM

Asking if Mike Hampton is ever going to be healthy again is akin to asking if the Pope is Jewish.

Sheesh. Florida had to pay $23.5M for the 2 days they had him during the offseason after the 2002 season. And all they got out of the deal was 42 innings from Tim Spooneybarger before he blew out his arm. That's remarkable. And that's not even mentioning what they gave up to get Hampton:

Sheesh. Florida had to pay $23.5M for the 2 days they had him during the offseason after the 2002 season. And all they got out of the deal was 42 innings from Tim Spooneybarger before he blew out his arm. That's remarkable. And that's not even mentioning what they gave up to get Hampton:
(from baseballreference)

Well they also got Juan Pierre, who was one of the key pieces in their 2003 World Series win.

Hendu

11-29-2007, 02:41 PM

There were some bad contracts given out in 2000 (Darren Dreifort). I don't see Mike Hampton making much of a contribution next season, or any future season for that matter.

Foulke You

11-29-2007, 03:28 PM

Anybody remember how close the Cubs came to being the ones locked in to Hampton for the big bucks? They really dodged a bullet with that one. I remember the Cubs were courting Hampton much like the Sox were with Hunter and right after the Cubs offered a 5 year deal, the Rockies came in and blew Hampton away with that 7 year offer. The Hampton contract now lives in infamy as one of the worst contracts of all time. Dreifort and Chan Ho Park's contracts also get honorable mention.

soxinem1

11-29-2007, 06:25 PM

That ain't going to happen though. It's the same blind faith that the Flubs put into Wood and Prior. The problem with injury-prone players is that when they do play, they play tepidly to avoid getting hurt. We'll see, but the Braves are doing nothing more but saving face with this albatross of a deal.

Very true, but Hampton is a bit older as well. A comeback from such a long layoff from such serious injuries is unprecedented.

When he was on, guys pounded his offerings in the ground.

But even if he comes back and wins 10-12 games, he, Darren Dreifort, and Denny Naegle were the worst FA signings of the decade.